It was only five months ago that Louisiana lawmakers intoxicated by a fat state surplus raised spending and cut taxes at the same time -- dismissing warnings that the boom could just as easily turn into fiscal gloom.

It now seems inevitable that shrinking oil prices and the nation's economic woes will blow a large hole in next year's budget. The latest estimate is $1.3 billion, though that may rise when the numbers are recalculated next month.

The order, affecting most state agencies and as many as 3,000 vacant positions, is expected to save about $25 million for the fiscal year that ends June 30. That's a modest amount compared to the massive shortfall.

But the order signals that the administration is bracing for an impact. As Gov. Jindal explained, halting government growth now will better prepare the state to deal with the difficulties ahead -- and ease the pain somewhat.

Recognizing that some public services are indispensable, the freeze exempts jobs directly related to patient care and public safety. The governor also left room for agency heads to petition for specific exceptions. But those officials should tap that mechanism sparingly, and the threshold to add more jobs to the state's bureaucracy should be high.

This is not Gov. Jindal's first hiring freeze. He imposed one during his first six months in office, saving $39 million. His predecessor, former Gov. Kathleen Blanco, also had a hiring freeze following Hurricane Katrina.

But this time officials said the move is part of a broad fiscal reshifting that will be reflected in next year's budget. Commissioner of Administration Angele Davis warned that some programs will shrink. Others will be completely gone.

Lawmakers will consider that budget in the spring -- and they'd better sober up.

Giddy with record oil prices and projections of future surpluses, legislators abandoned any sense of fiscal responsibility during this year's regular session. The Senate even approved a bill to phase out the state income tax altogether. Had it gained final passage, the measure would have truly wrecked state finances.

Lawmakers instead chose to repeal the Stelly Plan's income-tax increases, effective in 2009. Gov. Jindal first tried to kill the measure, then joined supporters when it was clear the cuts would pass. Even that compromise, however, will wipe out $380 million in revenue next year alone.

And who can forget the obscene pay raise lawmakers approved for themselves? The pay hike would have cost millions per year, and public furor forced Gov. Jindal to veto it.

At least some lawmakers now recognize that last summer's fiscal bacchanal is going to cost us now.

"We did nothing except make the problem worse," said Sen. Eric LaFleur of Ville Platte, referring to the Stelly Plan repeal.